Glossary - Pregnancy, Birth, and Baby Center
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air leak — when air leaks through holes in the lung tissue into the spaces outside the lung airways.
alveoli — tiny sacs that are the smallest airways of the lungs.
apnea — to stop breathing.
asphyxia — a general term used to describe inadequate intake of oxygen by the baby.
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bilirubin — substance formed when red blood cells break down and are excreted by the liver. Too much bilirubin in the blood causes jaundice.
bradycardia — slowing of the heart rate.
bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) — see chronic lung disease.
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chronic lung disease (Also called CLD or bronchopulmonary dysplasia.) — a term for long-term respiratory problems in premature babies that results from lung injury from treatments with mechanical ventilators and oxygen.
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) — air or oxygen delivered under a small amount of pressure.
cytomegalovirus (CMV) — a virus related to the herpes virus group of infections.
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Dubowitz/Ballard exam — An examination used to estimate a newborn's gestational age from the baby's appearance, skin texture, motor function, and reflexes.
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electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) — a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.
endotracheal tube (ET) — a tube placed through the mouth or nose into the trachea (windpipe).
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fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) — a group of abnormalities in babies born to mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy.
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gavage feedings — feedings given through a tube inserted in the baby's mouth or nose into the stomach.
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hemolytic disease of the newborn — a condition that occurs when there is an incompatibility between the blood types of the mother and baby, causing breaking down of red blood cells.
hemorrhagic disease of the newborn — a bleeding problem that occurs in a newborn during the first few days of life caused by a deficiency in vitamin K.
hyaline membrane disease (HMD) — see respiratory distress syndrome.
hyperglycemia — high amounts of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
hyperkalemia — high amounts of potassium in the blood.
hypernatremia — high amounts of sodium (salt) in the blood.
hypocalcemia — low calcium levels in the blood.
hypoglycemia — low amounts of glucose (sugar) in the blood.
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intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) — a term for inadequate fetal growth during pregnancy.
intravenous (IV) — a method of giving medication or fluids directly into the vein.
intraventricular hemorrhage — bleeding inside the ventricles (hollow chambers) in the brain.
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jaundice — a yellow coloring of the skin and/or eyes that is caused by too much bilirubin in the blood.
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kernicterus — build up of bilirubin in the tissues of the brain.
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lactation consultant (IBCLC - International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) — a nurse or other healthcare provider specially trained to help women with breastfeeding.
large for gestational age (LGA) — a term used to describe babies who are born weighing more than the usual amount for the number of weeks of pregnancy.
low birthweight — refers to a baby weighing less than 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds) at birth.
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meconium aspiration — when a baby breathes in amniotic fluid containing meconium (the first bowel movement). This can occur prior to or during birth.
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necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) — a serious intestinal illness in babies that can cause tissue damage to the intestines.
neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) — a term for a group of problems a baby experiences when withdrawing from drug use by the mother during pregnancy.
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) — a special care nursery that uses advanced technology and trained health professionals to care for sick and premature newborns.
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patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) — a condition in which the connecting blood vessel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta in fetal circulation stays open in a newborn baby.
periventricular leukomalacia — softening of the white matter of the brain near the ventricles due to damage and death of brain tissue.
pneumomediastinum — air leaks into the mediastinum (the space in the thoracic cavity behind the sternum and between the two pleural sacs containing the lungs).
pneumopericardium — air leaks into the sac surrounding the heart.
pneumothorax — air leaks into the space between the chest wall and the outer tissues of the lungs.
polycythemia — a condition in which there are too many red blood cells in the blood circulation.
premature baby — a baby born at or before the 37th week of pregnancy.
pulmonary interstitial emphysema (PIE) — air leaks and is trapped between the alveoli, the tiny air sacs.
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respiratory distress syndrome (Also called RDS or hyaline membrane disease or HMD.) — a condition of premature infant lungs due to insufficient surfactant, a substance in the lungs that helps the air sacs stay open.
respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — an infection that causes inflammation of the lower airways and pneumonia.
retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) — a disorder of the blood vessels of the retina (the light sensitive part of the eye) that is common in premature babies.
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small for gestational age (SGA) — a term used to describe a newborn who is smaller than normal for the number of weeks of pregnancy.
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) — the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under 1 year of age.
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thrombocytopenia — a condition in which there are too few platelets (cells produced in the bone marrow that are needed for clotting).
transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) — a mild respiratory problem of babies, characterized by rapid breathing, that begins after birth and lasts about three days.
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umbilical artery catheter — a tube that is placed into an umbilical artery of a sick newborn to allow fluids and medications to be given, and for blood to be drawn.
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very low birthweight — refers to a baby who is born weighing less than 1,500 grams (3 pounds, 4 ounces).
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x-ray — a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
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Date Last Reviewed: 2008-06-30T00:00:00-06:00
Date Last Modified: 2008-12-03T23:01:01.447-07:00